1. Abstract The goal of this project was to develop a Renewable Energy Best Practices Manual for Stantec Consulting Ltd. The manual will be used by Stantec employees for assessing renewable energy alternatives at a specific location. The information researched for each option was current technology, best location, cost range, efficiency, and downsides/environmental impacts. The manual also includes a checklist and comparison table of each of the renewable energy alternatives, as well as fossil fuels. Renewable Energy Alternatives: A Best Practices Manual for Stantec Consulting Jenna Beatty, Jenny Lund, and Calvin Robertie Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Civil Engineering Advised By: Fred Hart, Suzanne LePage, and Klaas Rodenburg (Stantec Consulting) Background Renewable energies increasingly need to be used to preserve our Earth. Despite the fact that renewables are being rapidly developed, traditional power generators still create most of the power consumed. On a 2030 timeline there is an expected increase in renewable used, however due to the growing population there is also an expected increase in traditional power usage. Various organizations and engineering firms are working to develop renewable energy technologies, Stantec included. No document with a compilation of renewable energy information. Stantec needed a resource to provide to it’s engineers to quickly bring them to speed on the current technologies available. Methods/Process In this project the feasibility of future renewable and sustainable energy alternatives was analyzed. In order to reach the final goal of creating a BPM, the following steps were taken: Research renewable energy alternatives, ensuring validity of the resources used. Determine the feasibility considerations of a particular renewable energy option. Compile findings into a BPM Develop a checklist to help determine which renewable energy option is most applicable in a particular situation. Results A BPM with detailed information on the topics listed above A comparison table complies all of the technologies, as well as fossil fuel data, to compare data. Below is an example of the table. The checklist allows an engineer to get a better understanding of the renewable energy alternative and can use it to determine if it is viable or not. Conclusions/Recommendations All the World’s power could come from renewable resources A huge financial investment is needed. Hybrid power plants (a combination of traditional and renewable energy) should be considered. TopicSubcategories Biomass  Wood  Waste-to-Energy  Algae  Landfill Gas  Biodiesel Geothermal  Ground Source (GSHP)  Deep Well Hydropower  Micro-Hydro  Tidal  Wave Solar  Photovoltaic  Concentrated Wind  Onshore  Offshore BPM Application An arbitrary site was chosen to analyze using the BPM. The analysis process is as follows: Determine most applicable system using comparison table. Solar panels and GSHP were eliminated, leaving micro-hyropower as the best option. Determine power requirements necessary for a typical home by creating a load variation chart. Determine power generated by the river using the stream flow and head differential. Determine actual power generated knowing turbine efficiency Perform a feasibility study to ensure the site is suitable for a micro- hydropower system. Design system. Landfill GasOpen Loop GSHPPV Solar TechnologyVertical WellsWell/Surface WaterSingle Crystal LocationExisting FillsNear Surface WaterAnywhere Cost$0.04/kW $2,500/ton of heating/cooling $0.10 /kW Efficiency40% to 80%300% to 600%5% to 20% Downsides Low Heating Capacity Environmental Regulations Toxic Chemicals Used in Panels General Info.Clean Water NeededExpensive